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Newbie from WI

C

chavo

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I recently joined the forum after a search for tortoise hatchlings. Looks like this is a nice forum and I hear very good things about it! I'm happy to be here. :thumbsup:
 
So far we don't have any tortoises, but we're hoping to add a sulcata to our home soon. I'd love to hear other suggestions tho. I'm eager to learn about tortoises. We had a russian tortoise years ago when I was a kid, however he was stolen from his outdoor enclosure. Now I have kids of my own who are animal lovers and our oldest wants a tortoise or box turtle of some kind. Does anyone have any input on what would be a good "starter" tortoise?
What kind of critters do all of you have?
 
Oh I forgot to tell about my family. Married for 8 years, 2 kids (ages 2 and almost 6) 2 dogs (chihuahua and chihuahua mix) and 3 cats. Bought our 1st house almost a year ago. I come from a family of animal lovers and being an only girl and having grown up with 3 brothers I'm pretty used to the not so 'normal' pets :D They have had so many snakes and lizards I can't even count them.
 
Welcome to Fauna, Mandi.

Would recommend not getting a sulcatta for a couple of reasons.

Where you live, it would have to be indoors for several months and that gets difficult when they get big. And they get BIG!

Sulcattas are rescue animals here in Texas. I place 6 or so a year. These are either given up because they got too big, or they are escapees that were smarter than their owners that didn't know how to contain them! LOL

Lots of tortoise species out there that are more manageable and even cold tolerant like the russians.

Consider making the trip to NARBC in Tinley Park (Chicago) next month. I'll bet you could get what you want in person there.
 
Thanks for the advice, Tim!!
Is there another tortoise out there that gets big (not huge like a sulcata) that doesn't mind cooler temps?
I would hate to keep a tortoise trapped indoors for so many months out of the year...I can see how it wouldn't be fair to them.
 
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